The National Weather Service Announces that Imperial County is Under an Excessive Heat Watch for Friday

The Imperial County Public Health Department wants to remind all residents and organizations that serve residents to take proper precautions to avoid heat-related illnesses such as heat exhaustion or heat stroke this summer. The National Weather Service has announced that Imperial County is under an Excessive Heat Watch from Friday morning to Friday evening.Forecast highs for Yuma and Imperial are around 115 -117 degrees on Friday.

The Imperial Valley also has twenty-nine designated Cool Centers where residents can go to cool off at no cost during the day if they do not have a cool place to stay. The Imperial Valley Mall was recently added as a Cool Center for Imperial County. (see attached updated list of cool centers in English/Spanish.)

Precations:

·Dress in lightweight, loose fitting clothes,

·Check on neighbors, especially seniors, children, and neighbors who live alone,

·Keep physical activities to a minimum during the hottest part of the day,

·Reduce your physical activity. If you must participate in a physical activity outdoors, make sure you drink plenty of water. Sports drinks may replenish the salt and minerals that you lose when you sweat.

·Try to rest regularly in shaded areas.

·Protect yourself from the sun by wearing a wide brimmed hat, sunglasses and apply sun block containing a protection level of SPF of 15 or greater (the more effective products indicate “UVA/UVB protection” on the label.)